Alejandro Marichal: "With these actions, we will not only improve both infrastructures but also expand the service capacity for both users and their families."
Dimas Sarmiento: "When we talk about dependency and Alzheimer's, we're talking about people. This unit will be a real respite for all of them."
The Department of Social Services of the City Council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana has approved in plenary session an extraordinary budget modification worth 20.000 Euros with the goal of beginning the repair and adaptation of the Aldea Blanca Senior Center. This project will transform a currently unused space into a new center that provides dignified, friendly, and professional care for dependent individuals.
The performance, financed by the liquid treasury balance for general expenses, take the first step into a municipal planning that provides for an estimated total investment of 400.000 eurosThis amount will be used for renovations, regulatory compliance, and building equipment, although the multi-year planning has not yet been fully formalized.
As explained by the Councilor for the Elderly and Social Services, Dimas Sarmiento, this intervention also responds to organizational reasons: "Given that there is already a renovation project for the San Fernando Alzheimer's and Other Dementia Center, we want to have an alternative resource in decent conditions to care for its users while the work is being done. Therefore, work will begin in Aldea Blanca and, subsequently, in San Fernando."
Sarmiento also emphasized that this action responds to a clear demographic reality: “San Bartolomé de Tirajana is one of the largest and most populated municipalities in Gran Canaria, and more than 20% of its population is now over 65. In areas such as Aldea Blanca, Castillo del Romeral, and Juan Grande, many older people live alone or with elderly relatives, which has increased the demand for care services.”
Councilman Sarmiento emphasized that when we talk about dependency and Alzheimer's, "we're not talking about numbers or budgets, we're talking about people, and this action will be a tangible support for many families in the municipality." In San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the councilman continued, there is a reality that cannot be ignored: "More and more people need these resources, and our responsibility is to guarantee them a dignified, professional, and caring environment."
For his part, the first deputy mayor, Alejandro Marichal, indicated that "with this action, we are not only improving the infrastructure but also expanding the capacity to care for our seniors. When both projects are completed, the municipality will have two specialized centers adapted, thus improving care for both users and their families,” concluded Marichal.
The building, built years ago next to the funeral home as a senior center, was underutilized due to its location and the progressive deterioration of its facilities. With this intervention, it will be restored as a specialized resource where it is most neededThe budget amendment approved by the plenary session allows for the initiation of the technical and administrative procedures necessary to launch the project within the planning framework of the Social Services Department.
